Although it was originally expected to completely shut down the 3G network in Malaysia before December 31, 2021, many areas were affected by the floods at the end of 2021, so the action to shut down the 3G network was postponed. Today, according to the latest news released by MCMC, the authorities will completely shut down 3G network services before March 31, 2022.
According to data from the authorities, as of December 31, 2021, there were about 2.1 million 3G network users in the country, of which 79% (about 1.66 million users) had switched to 4G networks. The remaining 21% (about 440,000 subscribers) will wait until all telcos have shut down their 3G networks before switching to other networks.
Relevant data also shows that there are about 250,000 3G network sites in Malaysia, 80% of which have now been closed, and the remaining 20% of base stations will be fully closed before March 31.
MCMC also announced that it will receive about 200,000 network complaints during 2021, of which 4G network service quality is the reason for the most complaints, and Johor Bahru has received the most complaints, followed by Petaling, Seremban, Kuala Lumpur and Klang. In this regard, the authorities will continue to optimize 4G network coverage and upgrade 2,661 communication towers, of which 86 are from the five areas with the most complaints.
MCMC’s goal for this year is to set up 4G broadband coverage for 1,661 new areas, and it also plans to further expand 5G services to major cities in Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Johor, Selangor, Sabah and Sarawak, enabling nationwide 5G coverage The rate reached 36%.
